One to change/add: when drying after a wash use two waffle or micro-fiber style drying cloths. With the first cloth, fold it in quarter and lay it on the paint finish to dry it. Blot the finish, don't stroke it to dry it. Unfold it to expose a new surface as you move around the car. Once that cloth is too moist, switch to the second continuing to mostly blot the finish dry.

My girlfriend scrubbed her entire car with a magic eraser. Discovered it when I waxed it and realized she had rubbed all the clear coat off.

This is another for real. How bad was the paint after that? Did you get it repainted?

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Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Thank you for the video... quite informative

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by mikes603

Good post

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by bmwsinceday1

now I know how many screw ups Ive been doing. Good education.

Haha, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by elerner61

One to change/add: when drying after a wash use two waffle or micro-fiber style drying cloths. With the first cloth, fold it in quarter and lay it on the paint finish to dry it. Blot the finish, don't stroke it to dry it. Unfold it to expose a new surface as you move around the car. Once that cloth is too moist, switch to the second continuing to mostly blot the finish dry.

It actually turned out ok. She had metallic paint and rubbed micro scratches all over everything. I used the armor all back to black 3 step kit after using a cleaner wax and followed it with 2 coats of gloss on top. The metallic paint helped a lot but from a few feet away it looks perfectly fine.

Not sure if this is an obvious one, but I've seen people wax their cards then vigorously wipe the was off. That's a no-no as you want to very lightly buff it with a micro-towel so the wax stays on the paint.

If you want to stay with one bucket for just rinsing and have more fun in the process (and who doesn't...) get a foam gun like this Gilmour Foamaster. The one in that link is the older version and has mostly brass construction, which I prefer to the newer plastic one. That's the cheapest price I can find for one.

For the past 3 years I've been using a Gilmour foam gun, with Optimum Car Wash soap and 2 microfiber wash mitts (one for lower section of car) from Chemical Guys and I'm getting the best results I've ever had. I've used microfiber wash mitts from Griots and others. They all look alike but the one I have from Chemical Guys is much more plush. And dousing your kid (and vice versa) with that foam gun is priceless.

Not sure if this is an obvious one, but I've seen people wax their cards then vigorously wipe the was off. That's a no-no as you want to very lightly buff it with a micro-towel so the wax stays on the paint.